Author Archives: Patricia Hubbell

Back in the day, almost every residential Detroit street was lined with big elm trees that formed shady, green tunnels. That’s why Detroit was once called “The City of Trees”. Unfortunately, Detroit has been losing trees throughout the city at…

Graceful Elm trees once lined the streets of Detroit, forming vaulted tunnels of shade through most neighborhoods. But that all changed when the Dutch Elm beetle arrived in the United States in 1930 and pretty much wiped out most of…

When Fall rolls around each year, I think of bursting colors from changing leaves, cooler temperatures, and the rapidly approaching holidays. What often slips my mind is tree planting – even though Fall is prime season for planting trees! The…

I have, like most people, always had a slight fear of bees. It’s no secret their stinging reputation precedes any benefits they may provide! But most beekeepers would likely argue that bees are actually really good for us. These hard-working…

All of us in metro Detroit are suffering from this summer’s extraordinary heat and humidity. During the hot weather, it is especially important to stay hydrated in the heat by doing things like drinking plenty of water before you’re thirsty! …

All around the world, people are gearing up for Earth Day. Started in 1970, this designated day of April 22 has become an annual reminder of our responsibility to be good stewards of the Earth. You can contribute to a…

The toughest part of my job is sitting at a desk all day. Not only is sitting for long periods a health hazard, it also greatly reduces my ability to concentrate. Most days, I try to squeeze in an early…

Let’s face it: Many of us don’t do the greatest job managing our personal finances. A recent Freakonomics blog post discussed the woeful state of most Americans’ financial literacy, outlining several troubling habits that leave people unprepared to weather many…

Sometimes people need motivation to exercise and stay physically active, particularly during the gray winter months. Maybe that’s why more than 2,200 people from nine Lansing-area communities have registered and are participating in the Community Partners in Health’s Winter Warm-Up…